KINGSTON, Jamaica — Jamaica’s Post and Telecommunications Department (PTD) continues to rack up significant losses in an increasingly digitised environment.

This is evident in the fact that approximately 8.5 million pieces of mail were handled by the PTD in 2024 when compared with 10.2 million pieces in 2023.

The information is contained in the 2024 edition of the Economic and Social Survey Jamaica, an annual publication of the Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ).

“The decline in the quantity of mail handled was attributed to a fall in all three categories with the heavily weighted ‘Letters’ category decreasing by 17.0 per cent to 8.3 million pieces,” said the PIOJ.

It added that “Revenue for the department decreased by $237.0 million to $458.0 million, in line with the decrease in the volume of mail handled. However, expenditure increased by $443.0 million to $4 133.0 million”.

As a result, a deficit of $3 675.0 million was recorded compared with the $2 995.0 million reported in 2023.

Meanwhile, the Postal Corporation of Jamaica (PCOJ) continued its efforts of transforming the postal service into a profitable, modern, and efficient operation the PIOJ said.

“In pursuit of this goal, the PCOJ continued to enhance internet connectivity and broaden the range of commercial services available through its islandwide postal network”.

Relative to 2023, the range of services offered at post offices was expanded as follows:

— Post offices with internet, 120 from 109

— Point of Sale Machines, 96 from 88

— Zipmail, 118 from 115

— Klick ‘N’ Ship, 98 from 81

— Bill Payment, 88 from 82

— FastTrack, 76 from 66.